As a person who prays, I enjoy reading the verse in James 5:16 as it reminds me that the prayers of a righteous person can be powerful and effective. While watching and witnessing human suffering in the news due to earthquakes, tsunamis, wars and nuclear problems, I see a great need for powerful and effective prayers. When listening to friends share their work, health, financial, relational and spiritual challenges; I hear the need for powerful and effective prayers. Allow me to share a few thoughts about prayer reflecting on James 5:16.

Maintaining a right relationship with God and others enables us to pray powerful and effective prayers. The verse states we should “confess our faults one to another and pray one with another that we might be healed”. The Amplified Bible unpacks the word “faults” as our “slips, false steps, offenses and sins”. Consistent confession of our faults and accountability to God and trustworthy people can be considered disciplines of a righteous person. If receiving Gods' grace and Christ sacrifice grants us righteousness; then the disciplines enable us to experience more of God’s grace in our lives. The less our hearts are cluttered with un confessed “faults”, the more God’s grace can flow freely through our hearts. God’s grace enables us to pray powerful and effective prayers for the needs of self, others and the world around us.

Find a trustworthy person and share any burdens or faults residing in your heart that may be hindering your prayers. Receive God’s forgiveness and grace in your life and pray powerfully and effectively today.